Unity agreement signed in Kabul

September 23, 2014

On Saturday, the Afghan Independent Elections Commission announced Dr. Ashraf Ghani as the new President of Afghanistan and the end of the presidential election process. The announcement was followed by the establishment of a unity government as Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah signed a unity agreement, stipulating the roles of the President and the Chief Executive Officer. The new government will have a cabinet of ministers to include the Chief Executive Officer and two deputies.

Outgoing President Hamid Karzai congratulated Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, noting that the agreement was “for the progress and development of this country”. He also reiterated that he is prepared to assist the new President and Government in any way necessary.

The inauguration of the new President is expected to take place in Kabul on Monday, 29 September. Regardless of the prolonged process and shortcomings of the elections, they proved the strong commitment of the Afghan people to stand up for democracy. The Agreement for a Unity Government, which marks the first peaceful transfer of power to a new President is a great victory for the Afghan people and will lead Afghanistan to a successful Decade of Transformation, aiming at a stable, democratic, self-sufficient and prosperous country.